11/04/2026

SATURDAY | APR 11, 2026

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Cloud-seeding conducted as requested by state govts

LUNDU: Owners of idle or underutilised agricultural land are urged to consider leasing their land to ensure it remains productive, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. He said the initiative would help optimise land use while reducing Malaysia’s reliance on food imports. He stressed that landowners do not need to sell their property but rent it out to companies or entrepreneurs interested in developing the land. “Typically, companies seeking to lease land require long-term arrangements of 10 years or more, as agriculture takes time from planting until yields are obtained,” he said after visiting a Tanjung Purun padi planting project yesterday. Mohamad said Malaysia, once among the world’s leading rubber exporters, is now importing the commodity due to declining domestic production. He attributed this to the large number of smallholder rubber plots that are no longer being cultivated. “Among the main factors is a labour shortage as young generations migrate to urban areas, leaving plantations untended. In some cases, landowners are reluctant to lease out their land because they view it as ancestral property, resulting in it remaining idle.” – Bernama ‘Lease out idle farmland to boost food security’ KUALA Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party, which is approaching its 80th anniversary, remains one of the oldest political parties in the Asean region, with a legacy of struggle that reflects resilience. He said throughout its long history, Umno has undergone various phases of struggle and shifts in the political landscape, reflecting its experience, resilience and key role in national development. “As time passes, efforts to produce capable leaders are very important to ensure the continuity of the struggle and to remain relevant in the future,“ he said in a post on his Facebook page yesterday in conjunction with Umno’s 80th anniversary.” – Bernama LUMPUR: Umno turns 80 this year

Merah Dam (Perak), Muda Dam (Kedah), Machap Dam (Johor) and Timah Tasoh Dam (Perlis). “Alhamdulillah , we managed to produce rain through every operation, and helped bring the water levels at the dams back to normal.” He said Nadma has received preliminary information on the need for cloud-seeding operations in Sabah and Sarawak as several areas are beginning to experience dry weather. He said the hot and dry weather is expected to persist until either May or June, Bernama reported. Meanwhile, Ambun said the success of cloud-seeding operations depends on three key atmospheric factors – the presence of towering cumulus clouds, weak winds from various directions and high atmospheric moisture content.

He said cloud-seeding uses the technique of spraying salt solution using four tanks with a total capacity of 6,000 litres. “Each cloud-seeding operation takes between eight and nine hours, starting with solution preparation, crew briefing, flight to the target location and dispersing the solution at an altitude of between 5,200ft and 7,000ft.” Ambun said the effects of water droplets forming in the clouds could be seen as early as 30 to 60 minutes after spraying, with rain expected within one to two hours, with a success rate of 80%. He dispelled confusion about the use of hazardous chemicals in the operation, stressing that it merely mimics the natural process of salt molecule condensation from the sea to land, and uses only normal salt solution.

o Every application submitted assessed comprehensively before any operation is conducted to raise dam water levels: Nadma

PUTRAJAYA: The government is encouraging Malaysians to switch to the Time of Use (ToU) scheme to cut electricity bills and boost national energy efficiency amid volatile global energy prices. The Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry said 128,868 consumers had switched to the ToU scheme as of February, a clear sign of growing public awareness of the need for smarter energy management. It said in a statement that the scheme offers lower rates during off peak hours and higher rates during peak hours, giving a real incentive to change daily usage habits and save money, Bernama reported. Under the scheme, peak hours are weekdays from 2pm to 10pm when demand and rates are high. Off-peak hours include overnight to early morning, weekends and public holidays when rates are lower. It advised users to shift energy intensive activities, such as running air conditioners, operating washing machines, using water heaters and charging electric vehicles, to off-peak hours to maximise savings. “This approach not only lowers electricity bills but also supports more efficient, sustainable energy use.” It is seen as a key initiative to help Malaysians control electricity costs. SUBANG: The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) is prepared to conduct cloud-seeding operations nationwide based on state government requests to ensure sufficient dam water levels. Its deputy director-general (Operations) Datuk Dr Abdul Gapar Abu Bakar said every application submitted through State Disaster Management Committees would be comprehensively assessed before any operation is conducted. “For example, if Perlis submits a request, and Kedah is facing the same issue at the same time, then we will conduct the operation simultaneously.” He was speaking during cloud

Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) C-130 Hercules aircraft, as part of cloud-seeding operations in Perlis, Kedah, Perak and Johor. Also present was Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) deputy director general (Operations) Ambun Dindang. Abdul Gapar said over the past three years, Nadma, together with relevant agencies such as MetMalaysia, RMAF, the Public Works Department and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage had conducted 21 cloud seeding operations nationwide.

“We just want to add more salt solution so that it rains faster in the target areas. It is not dangerous because the salt we use is the type that we use in our food daily.” Over 128,800 switch to Time of Use scheme to cut power bills seeding operations over areas in Malacca and Johor yesterday using He said of the total, 11 were conducted in 2024, one in 2025 and nine this year, involving several main dams, including the Bukit “Most important is the presence of towering cumulus clouds because that’s where we will disperse the salt solution that will, hopefully, lead to rainfall in the dam areas.”

The scheme offers lower rates during off-peak hours and higher rates during peak hours, giving a real incentive to change daily usage habits and save money. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Medicine supply sufficient until June: Minister

PUTRAJAYA: The country’s medicine supply remains stable and sufficient, thanks to combined government and industry stockpiles, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said the government is also making preparations in case the West Asia conflict persists, including

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to determine the best way to manage the issue. “Discussions include a cost pass-through mechanism and appropriate rates, either full or partial.” Dzulkefly assured the public that healthcare services would not be affected. – Bernama

gone up between 50% and 100%.” He added that supply chain disruptions, including delays in medical device shipments since before March, have also pushed up prices. He said the Health Ministry is discussing solutions with the Finance Ministry, Economy Ministry and

after the World Hearing Day 2026 celebration yesterday. Dzulkefly said medicine and medical device costs had risen due to logistics, transport and global oil price hikes. “The cost of medicine has increased by around 30% to 40% while some medical devices have

implementing medium and long term mitigation measures. “For the immediate period until the end of June, we still have stable and sufficient stocks. It’s not just government stockpiles, as the industry also has its supplies. “Essential medicines like insulin and vaccines must be shared,” he said